And they’re off!

Voyageur_canoeThe Canoe the Heart expedition left Atikokan, Ontario today on its way to its first stop in Fort Francis, Ontario, via the woods and waters of Quetico Provincial Park. The paddlers on this leg of the journey include representatives of the Superior National Forest, Quetico Park, the Quetico Foundation, a member of the Canadian parliament, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and Lakehead University.

The group is expected in Fort Francis by July 4. The canoe and paddlers will be part of International Falls, MN’s Fourth of July parade, and then will depart for Crane Lake, crossing through Voyageurs National Park.

Stay tuned for the first report from the trail!